Category Archives: NFL Film Study

The advent of high-octane offenses have changed the way teams build their defenses. The 46 defense is a largely a relic as nickel and dime packages have become ubiquitous. Jon Ledyard breaks down the impact that defensive end Stephon Tuitt has had for the Pittsburgh Steelers pass defense. Since the turn of the century, the ever-growing prevalence…

The start of the 2016 NFL season was as entertaining as anyone could have expected, with the Denver Broncos clawing their way to a 21-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers. While there were a number of plays that shifted the course of the game, the final-minute missed 50-yard field goal stands out due to…well, being the…

Last season proved how vital a game changing receiver like Jordy Nelson was to the Green Bay Packers offense. Justin Twell shows how the return of Nelson makes the Packers passing attack one of the best in the league. The Green Bay Packers passing game, along with the offense as a whole, was not the same in…

Every season good players are overlooked or undervalued across the NFL. As we approach the regular season, Brandon Thorn will look at players who are not getting the appropriate level of attention from big media – or even smaller entities – and put them under the microscope to evaluate their skills and traits and see what others might…

The end of the preseason is always full of surprising cuts in the NFL, with 2016 being no different. This year, one of the most surprising firings was that of Robbie Gould, who made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and was also named first-team All-Pro that season and spent all 11 seasons of his career…

The NFL is ruled by quarterbacks. And while the Tennesseee Titans believe they have the real deal under center, they’ve made a commitment to the ground game with a pair of offseason acquisitions. Sharona explains why the exotic smashmouth isn’t only a good idea, but a great idea by the Titans’ braintrust. The Titans haven’t…

The Big Ten is shaping up be a highly competitive conference this year. Although much of the conference’s top talent left for the NFL Draft last season, new faces enter will soon be household names. Jeff Feyerer‘s 2016 Big Ten Preview (Read Part 1 here) focuses on those players and teams, and the schemes and…

As preseason comes to a close, people rush to sort things, sufficient information be dratted, and Los Angeles Rams #1 pick Jared Goff is not immune. Jon Ledyard takes a look at Jared Goff’s preseason to contextualize this struggles and concludes that there is no need to hit the panic button yet. When the Los Angeles Rams made…

Punters have one of the weirder jobs in professional sports: While in possession of the ball on offense, they voluntarily give it to the other team in order to avoid potentially negative consequences. In no other sport does a team willfully give up possession of the ball / puck / quaffle when holding it. While…

Every season there are good players who get overlooked or are undervalued across the NFL. As we approach the regular season, Brandon Thorn will look at players who are not getting the appropriate level of attention from big media – or even smaller entities – and put them under the microscope to evaluate their skills…

Athleticism will get take a player far in the NFL but it won’t take him to the top. Despite being a combine superstar, Vic Beasley has struggled to translate his athleticism to NFL success. Jon Ledyard highlights how Vic Beasley’s spins and counters weren’t enough against Miami Dolphins tackle Ja’Wuan James. During Atlanta’s third preseason game, social…

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Roberto Aguayo in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft after trading up to the 59th pick, the football world melted down. With Aguayo now struggling in his first NFL preseason, far more eyes are now focused on him than any rookie kicker in recent memory. Not even…

The Philadelphia Eagles have a new quarterback in Carson Wentz to run a new coach’s offense. Sean Cottrell checks the film to evaluate how their new receiver, Dorial Green-Beckham, will fit in. Since wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham was traded to the Eagles from the Titans last Tuesday, there has been much debate among Philadelphia fans and media about the…

Calvin Johnson’s sudden retirement left the Detroit Lions having to rebuild their wide receiver corps. But the time to fill holes in the draft has gone and the time to sort what the team has has come. Justin Twell evaluates the Lions receivers to see what to expect without Calvin Johnson. The Detroit Lions wide receiver corps might be…

Every Wednesday at noon EST, Jon Ledyard will be releasing a new installment that we are calling Sack Lunch. Each article will take a look at a particularly impressive pass-rushing performance from the past weekend’s games, highlighting techniques, moves, or athletic traits that brought each player success. In the first installment, Jon looks at the special…

The NFL is filled with talented tight ends who can line up all over the field and wreak havoc on opposing linebackers and defensive backs. Joseph Ferraiola breaks down how Dallas Cowboys safety Byron Jones has a unique ability to shut down tight ends. Since the NFL has become more pass-oriented in recent years, the value of having a…